SanDisk unveils expensive PS5 SSD line
SanDisk has announced a new line of NVMe SSDs for the PlayStation 5, the Optimus GX PRO 850P, which is an officially licensed PS5 accessory. The SSDs are available in capacities from 1TB to 8TB, with the largest model capable of storing up to 200 PS5 games based on average installation sizes, according to SanDisk.
However, due to the global memory shortage, the 8TB version is priced at $2,959.99, discounted from $3,699.99. This price is more than the cost of three PS5 Pro consoles, even after Sony's recent console price hikes.
Price breakdown across capacities
The 4TB version is priced at $1,499.99 (down from $1,874.99), while the 2TB option costs $759.99 (reduced from $949.99) — still $100 more expensive than a standard PS5. The new SSD features an optimized heatsink built specifically for the PS5 and PS5 Pro M.2 slot and has been tested for both consoles to ensure gamers can “store more and play more with confidence,” SanDisk stated.
Comparison with existing Western Digital SSDs
A Western Digital SSD (SanDisk's parent brand) with similar specs to the $3,000 option is currently available on Amazon for $1,470. According to price comparison site PC Part Picker, that same Western Digital SSD sold through retailers like Best Buy and Newegg for around $640 last year, representing a over 360 percent price increase for the same capacity.
As VGC points out, the price hike is dramatic. The article notes that while AI is potentially making games worse, it is also making them more expensive to play.
